Everything IS NOT For Me!

Some of the wisest words my cousin ever gave me were, “Everything is not for me!”  It was something I would hear her say a lot in passing, but once I finally caught the reality of this statement, it began to make much sense.

In coming to terms with rejection, one must realize, indeed, everything is not meant for everybody. Every relationship, invitation, job, etc. is not for everyone. We are all unique with individual needs, and quite frankly, we cannot be a part of everything.  We have to come to grips that God has plans laid out for us to our benefit, and every opportunity cannot be a part of that plan.

So now, when a job situation or relationship does not work the way I intended, I breathe a sigh of relief and say to myself, “Oh well. Everything is not for me!”

Lesson learned: Everything is not meant for everybody.

Coming Soon!

The Ice Cream Parable

One evening at dinner during my freshman year of college, an upperclassman began to share some wisdom with me, in what I like to call “The Parable of the Ice Cream.”

“Often times in life,” she explained, “Christians sit in a cafeteria much like this one, earnestly praying every day for ice cream. ‘Oh Lord,’ they beg for days, weeks, and months at a time, ‘please grant us a bowl of ice cream.  If it is Your will, please have a heaping bowl of ice cream come across my table.’”

“Meanwhile,” she continued, “the ice cream machine, toppings, the bowl, and spoons have been made readily available.  If they would just take a look at their surroundings, they would see that everything they want and more is already there.  All they have to do is get up and access what has been provided.”

Twelve years later, this tale still resonates in my heart. While my friend told this story in jest, I found some truth in it that has helped me throughout the years.

Many times as Christians, we are praying, fasting, and believing for things, when all the while God is saying, “Take a look around. What are you doing with what I have already given you?” Much like in The Parable of the Talents, we have all been given a measure.  The question is, are we making the most with what has been granted to us, or are we burying it in the ground and ignoring it?

Lesson Learned: Make the most with what has been given.

Coming Soon!